Signal processing apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract

A signal processing apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The signal processing apparatus includes a signal processor which processes a video signal and/or an audio signal; a power supply which generates a power signal; a first connector configured to be connected with an external second connector; and a control circuit which outputs the video signal and/or audio signal and the power signal if the external second connector is connected to the first connector, and performs a shutoff operation to not output the power signal if the first connector is not connected to the external second connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A signal processing apparatus comprising:
 a signal processor which processes a data signal; 
 a power supply which generates a power signal; 
 a first connector configured to be connected with an external second connector; and 
 a control circuit which outputs the data signal and the power signal if the external second connector is connected to the first connector, and performs a shutoff operation to not output the power signal if the first connector is not connected to the external second connector; 
 wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of pins, including a power pin, and the control circuit performs the shutoff operation by not outputting the power signal to the power pin of the first connector; and 
 wherein the control circuit comprises:
 a switching unit which comprises an enabling pin; and 
 a resistor which connects the power pin of the first connector with the enabling pin of the switching unit; 
 wherein the switching unit receives the power signal at the enabling pin and selectively outputs the power signal to the first connector based on a voltage level of the enabling pin, and 
 wherein the switching unit outputs the power signal to the first connector when the external second connector of a first external device having a first impedance is connected to the first connector, and does not output the power signal to the first connector when the external second connector of a second external device having a second impedance that is lower than the first impedance is connected to the first connector. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The signal processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of pins further comprises a connection detecting pin that detects whether the external second connector is connected to the first connector, and 
 the enabling pin of the switching unit is connected to the connection detecting pin. 
 
     
     
       3. The signal processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connector comprises a tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) connector. 
     
     
       4. The signal processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein if the external second connector is not connected to the first connector, the voltage level of the enabling pin is lower than an operation threshold voltage of the switching unit, and the control circuit performs the shutoff operation. 
     
     
       5. The signal processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein if the external second connector is connected to the connector, the voltage level of the enabling pin is higher than an operation threshold voltage of the switching unit, and the control circuit outputs the power signal to the power pin of the first connector. 
     
     
       6. The signal processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein if the voltage level of the enabling pin is lower than an operation threshold voltage of the switching unit, the control circuit performs the shutoff operation. 
     
     
       7. A method of controlling a signal processing apparatus comprising a first connector, the method comprising:
 processing a data signal; 
 generating a power signal; 
 outputting the data signal and the power signal if an external second connector is connected to the first connector; and 
 performing a shutoff operation to not output the power signal if the first connector is not connected to the external second connector; 
 wherein the outputting comprises outputting the power signal to a power pin of the first connector if the external second connector is connected to the first connector; 
 wherein the performing the shutoff operation comprises not outputting the power signal to the power pin if the first connector is not connected to the external second connector; and 
 wherein the signal processing apparatus comprises a switching unit and a resistor which connects the power pin of the first connector with an enabling pin of the switching unit, 
 wherein the switching unit receives the power signal at the enabling pin, and 
 wherein the switching unit outputs the power signal to the first connector when the external second connector of a first external device having a first impedance is connected to the first connector, and does not output the power signal to the first connector when the external second connector of a second external device having a second impedance that is lower than the first impedance is connected to the first connector. 
 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , -further comprising:
 receiving, by the switching unit, the power signal; and 
 selectively outputting the power signal based on a voltage level of an enabling pin of the switching unit. 
 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the first connector comprises a tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) connector. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the performing the shutoff operation comprises not outputting the power signal to the power pin if a connection detecting pin of the first connector detects that the first connector is not connected to the external second connector. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the performing of the shutoff operation comprises not outputting the power signal if the voltage level of the enabling pin is lower than an operation threshold voltage of the switching unit. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the selectively outputting the power signal comprises outputting the power signal to the power pin if the voltage level of the enabling pin is higher than an operation threshold voltage of the switching unit. 
     
     
       13. A control circuit that controls the output of a data signal and a power signal, the control circuit comprising:
 an input that receives the data signal; 
 an output that outputs the data signal; 
 a switching unit comprising an input pin, an output pin, and an enabling pin at which the power signal is received; 
 a resistor connected between the output pin and the enabling pin; and 
 a first connector; 
 wherein the input pin receives the power signal, and the output pin outputs the power signal based on a voltage level of the enabling pin, and 
 wherein the switching unit outputs the power signal to the first connector when an external second connector of a first external device having a first impedance is connected to the first connector, and does not output the power signal to the first connector when an external second connector of a second external device having a second impedance that is lower than the first impedance is connected to the first connector. 
 
     
     
       14. The control circuit of  claim 13 , wherein the output pin outputs the power signal if the voltage level of the enabling pin is higher than an operation threshold voltage of the switching unit. 
     
     
       15. The control circuit of  claim 13 , wherein the output pin does not output the power signal if the voltage level of the enabling pin is lower than an operation threshold voltage of the switching unit.